R O M T H E W E L L C A M P U S M I N I S T R Y

By Emily Gowdy Canady

Following a 2-year transition, growing from an Episcopal Campus Ministry to a partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), in the Spring of 2014 The Well: Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministry in Greenville was just getting its feet back underneath it. From 2012 through 2014, Pastor Drew Goodson of Our Redeemer Lutheran, Greenville served as the 6-hour-a-week Campus Pastor to The Well Coming out of that time, in discernment with students and others, it was determined that 6 hours a week was simply not enough time to create and foster the kind of community both the Diocese of East Carolina and the North Carolina Synod of the ELCA knew the ministry needed if it were to continue

Gratefully through grant writing, as well as some escrowed funds, the Diocese of East Carolina with support from the North Carolina Lutheran Synod was able to make the position 60 hours a month. Following a search process that included local and out of state candidates, Pastor Donna Kraus applied and was called to this ministry. Donna moved to Greenville from Ohio, taking the Campus Ministry position in semi-retirement. This summer Donna plans to move fully into retirement, staying in Greenville, but stepping away after nine years as The Well’s Campus Pastor

Pastor Donna, as she is known to her students and around the ECU campus, has had a tremendous impact on campus and in Greenville. Her leadership and pastoral presence have been exactly what this mission-shaped ministry needed. In her time as Campus Pastor, Donna served as the President of East Carolina University’s Religious Life Council for three years For several years she and staff from St Paul’s, Greenville have offered “Ashes to Go” on campus for Ash Wednesday She has been a bridge and a conduit for love and acceptance with the LGBTQ office on campus, including serving on several panels over the years through ECU’s mental health services It is this particular connection that landed her on the planning committee for the University’s “Love One Another” Symposium, which took place earlier this Spring and Lutheran Campus ministries are not always the campus. In fact, they are often reflective of what a lot of re like. However, that does not outweigh the impact and e of their presence on campus At a Campus Ministry t before COVID, a student shared a story they had gone to a large non-denominational Campus hen they returned to campus the following fall and went nistry’s opening gathering, no one in leadership ed them Soon after, a friend invited them to The Well and A few days later on campus, Donna recognized them, m by name This student remained a part of The Well until graduation

Donna is ecumenical and open She has invited students at The Well into conversations and gatherings with Hillel, the Jewish Student well as the Muslim Student Association She has helped etreats and mission experiences with the Presbyterian and Campus Ministries too! Donna has brought in speakers ams from mental wellness to financial responsibility, tying ack to the students’ faith. She has supported student , and most importantly, she supports and cares for and students.

Many of the students who are part of The Well have said they love that Pastor Donna knows their name when they are out and about on campus. Not only does she know their name, but she knows what they are studying, who is working where, and of the graduating seniors where they are moving and what kind of jobs they have. Pastor Donna has even kept in touch with a group of students, all who ended up in Raleigh who have formed an alumni group there of The Well.

As with any ministry, there will be some transition time for The Well and we are hopeful for the next chapter. Donna has built a solid foundation for this partnered ministry The future is full of hope for The Well Though the students and many in the campus community will miss her, they all wish her well in her full retirement!

High school seniors and current college students headed to universities and colleges across North Carolina can connect with the Episcopal Campus Ministry through "Just One Thing." This one-page form will send contact information for the student to the Campus Ministry on college campuses where there are ministries. In the Diocese of East Carolina, this includes ECU in Greenville and UNCW in Wilmington.

Click here (or the graphic above) to fill out the form for "Just One Thing" and get connected with an Episcopal Campus Ministry near you. Want to connect a student to a campus ministry beyond North Carolina? Contact Emily Gowdy Canady for assistance!